LAKERS NOTEBOOK: Nash says he'll play in Game 1

After going through full-court contact drills during Saturday's practice, Steve Nash said he will return when the Lakers play today in Game 1 of their first-round matchup against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center.

"I plan on playing unless there is a setback between now and then," said Nash, who missed the past eight games because of persisting soreness in his right hamstring. "But so far, so good."

Nash said he sprinted 10 times up and down the court during a scrimmage, concluding "I got through it OK." The Lakers guard participated in half-court drills Friday, but still said the nerve issues surrounding his hamstring inhibited him from running at full speed. But more time allowed Nash to feel the affects of an epidural shot that he received on Tuesday.

Should Nash play for the first time since March 28, the Lakers starting lineup could feature him at point guard, Steve Blake at shooting guard, Metta World Peace at small forward, Pau Gasol at power forward and Dwight Howard at center. But Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said he won't determine his starting lineup until he sees how Nash's body responds this morning.

"Obviously he's not going to play a lot of minutes," D'Antoni said.

"Whatever he can give us will be great. We'll play it by ear. As the series goes on, he should get stronger."

If not, Nash hardly minced words that he shouldn't play.

"He's got to coach this team to win the game," Nash said of D'Antoni. "If I'm not helping and I'm not capable, he's got to get me out. That's the bottom line. There's no time to be sentimental. If I can't get it done, I shouldn't be out there."

The Lakers would welcome Nash's return for obvious reasons, what with his passing, ball-handling and playmaking skills. But there's still concerns, most notably on how Nash would stop Spurs guard Tony Parker, who has averaged 20.3 points on 52.2 percent shooting and 7.6 assists this season

"I don't think the coaches have been pleased with my defense this year. But it's something I always have to work extra hard at, but offensively is where I think the team is really going to need me. I have to be up to par there or else I have to turn it over to someone else if I'm not able to do it."

Words of wisdom

Howard only described a team dinner he hosted Friday evening as "good." But it turns out both Howard and Gasol talked expansively to their teammates about making a championship run despite Kobe Bryant's season-ending torn Achilles tendon.

"We have a good opportunity with everything that's happened this season," Gasol said. "It's been difficult, but we've been able to overcome pretty much everything. We have to go into the series with a certain level of confidence and determination in order to make things happen for us."

Bryant used to speak at team dinners during past seasons. What was his message?

"Pretty much the same, but he doesn't extend himself very much," Gasol said of Bryant. "He's more direct and to the point."